SAFE Haven for Cats exists to help homeless cats find their fur-ever homes. Sometimes we do make exceptions in certain cases. Cam and Scarlet’s story is one that has been experienced by many families. In 2011, at four months old, Cam and Scarlet were adopted from Best Friends by a very kind and loving cat lady. She was also one of SAFE Haven’s biggest supporters and a longtime volunteer. When she passed away in 2019, we chose to help find a new home for these two wonderful seniors.

When they first arrived in August of 2019, Cam and Scarlet were very upset about their situation. We reached out to our volunteers and were able to find a foster home for the pair, where they really thrived. Cam was described as a very sweet, fluffy “mama’s boy” that loved to be around his human all the time. Scarlet was labeled the sweetest cat you will ever meet that loves to sleep with her human at night. When the time was right, they were made available for adoption from their foster home.

In May of 2020, after a long but love-filled wait, Cam and Scarlet met their new mom. We checked in with Danielle to find out how they are doing. She said “I renamed them to Riku and Roxie. They settled in very nicely! They love to play with feather toys and the laser pointer. Riku enjoys sitting in my armchair (which is basically his armchair now) while Roxie prefers kitty huts. They hang out with me during the day while I work and sleep in bed with me at night. They have been the best companions for me during quarantine.” A happy ending for a pair of lovely seniors.

Their story also allows us to highlight a program you may not be aware of, the Serenity Surviving Cat Program. Though Cam and Scarlet were not a part of that program, it is an all too familiar situation. At SAFE Haven for Cats, we are frequently contacted by caring cat owners who are making plans for their cats in their estates. If there are no friends or family members who are willing or able to care for your cats, it is possible to include instructions for your executor to place your cats with a shelter such as SAFE Haven for Cats. SAFE Haven may be able to take these cats and find wonderful new homes for them. Contact Pam Miller at pam@safehavenforcats.org or 919.582.7834 if you are interested in learning more.

Meet the cats just like Cam & Scarlet looking for a fur-ever home!

Learn more about the Serenity Surviving Cat Program, which can help ensure your cat is cared for after you’re gone.

Every cat deserves a chance at a safe, loving home.

Our mission is to continue saving as many cats and kittens as we can every year until there is no more unnecessary euthanasia in the Triangle. That is why we expanded our shelter and clinic so we could help more animals and people.

As our lifesaving programs increase, euthanasia in the Triangle decreases. In fact, in the last two years, 7,500 fewer cats were euthanized in our county shelters. Within two or three years we should have a positive outcome for all the cats entering our county shelters.

We served over 6,000 people with animals in 2019/2020 through all our programs. That is a 17% increase in the last 4 years.

In the SAFE Care Clinic, we have increased our surgeries by 75% in the last 4 years and adoptions have increased 8%. We have fed almost 3,000 cats and dogs through the Pet Food Pantry.

View the impact statement to see how your donations make a difference. 

SAFE Haven for Cats is a fixture in the Triangle and surrounding counties. What you might not know is that we get requests to take cats from around the country. On June 14, 2019, the Humane Society of the United States rescued 200 cats from a home in Killeen, Texas. The home was being used as a shelter for a kitten foster and rescue group that never intended to put the animals in harm’s way but could not provide adequate care. The state director of the Humane Society said the situation was unacceptable despite the director’s goodwill. “Even when there’s good intent, the conditions that the animals were living in were poor and not acceptable.”

Many of these cats and kittens needed urgent care. They were taken to a temporary shelter to be treated and to recover. Twenty cats were in critical condition as the home was unsuitable for animal life. With so many cats (and dogs) in an 1800 square foot home, the air was highly concentrated with ammonia. When it was time for the cats to settle into new shelters, the HSUS looked to out-of-state partners to help as Texas has a significant overpopulation problem and they did not want to displace animals in need in Texas. They called up Nashville Humane Society and Brandywine Valley SPCA. And they called us.

Of course, our president and founder, Pam Miller, said “YES!” to taking in 30 of the rescued kitties. We immediately started working to adopt as many of our current cats to make room for the newbies. Thanks to our wonderful community of supporters, we were able to adopt out 28 cats in one weekend! Aided by their long-time partner, GreaterGood.org, and the support of donors and a match by the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust, the staff of the Humane Society drove all night to get those 30 worthy souls to Raleigh, North Carolina. Saving 30 cats on our 25th anniversary could not have been more serendipitous. SAFE Haven for Cats was founded with a simple mission to save lives. The Worthy 30 have all been adopted of course, but their stories will live on in the memories of all the people who helped to give them the wonderful life they deserve.

Meet the cats just like the Worthy 30 looking for a fur-ever home!

Donate now so we can continue helping cats like the Worthy 30.

Lisa Loiselle’s relationship with SAFE Haven for Cats started more than 20 years ago as a volunteer. After reducing her work hours to part-time, she was looking for a volunteer opportunity. When she saw a tv spot on WRAL, she knew she had found the perfect place, immediately applying to volunteer.

The behind-the-scenes look at the organization over her two decades of involvement, both as a volunteer and adopter of 5 cats, is what led her to add SAFE Haven to her estate plans. “I’ve seen how many resources are needed to run the organization. I’ve also seen how carefully funds are handled.” She wants her legacy as a cat lover, something she’s been all her life, to continue long after she’s gone so that there are no longer homeless cats in our area. “My cats bring me tremendous joy daily. The thought of [cats like them] living outside, scrounging for food, unnamed, unloved by people, absolutely breaks my heart.”

When you include SAFE Haven in your will or other estate plans, you’re guaranteeing that stray and abandoned cats and kittens can be helped, whenever they are in need.

What does she have to say to anyone thinking of including SAFE Haven in their planning? “Your money will be treasured, stretched and well spent.”

To learn more about how you can join Lisa in leaving a legacy at SAFE Haven, click here.